The Republican controlled state Assembly of Wisconsin on Thursday voted 76-15 to make Wisconsin the first US state to allow prison inmates access to Communion wine. The law is now waiting the approval of the Democratic Governor of Wisconsin Jim Doyle. The Wisconsin State Journal reported Rep. Joe Parisi, D- Madison, as claiming the bill would allow prisoners who were alcoholics to consume alcohol. "This is not a First Amendment issue; this is a mental health issue" said Rep. Parisi. But supporters of the measure, which passed the Republican-controlled Senate last month, said wine is a vital part of the sacrament for most Christians. Many ministers and priests say their faith precludes substituting grape juice for wine during prison Communions.

"This is a clear-cut attempt to limit religious freedom," said Rep. Fred Kessler, D- Milwaukee. Under his Lutheran religion, Kessler said, wine is transformed into the blood of Jesus during Communion. "When you have that as part of the fundamental part of your religion and you are prohibited from using wine in the sacrament, you are impinging upon religious freedom," he said.

The State Journal reported that some lawmakers wondered whether they weren't opening a Pandora's box. "If a person who chose to worship Satan . . . said in their sacrament they should drink blood, would this same body turn around and be as open and accepting?" asked Rep. Jason Fields, D-Milwaukee.

The bill, SB174, seeks an exemption to the state law that makes it a crime to provide inmates with liquor. It would allow inmates to consume up to 2 ounces of wine as part of a religious service.

Thursday, 15th July, 2004

Tuesday, 8th June, 2004

Saturday, 5th June, 2004

Liquor Licensing Act 1997: It is an offence to sell or supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years, or to obtain liquor on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years.All transactions in $AUD.
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